In the beginning there were 130 men. Now, less than half remain.
Those who have made it through the first 10 days are dropped, alone, into a secret mountainous area. There they must complete 150kms up the mountains, carrying 50kg packs on their backs. This phase is ironically called ‘Happy Wanderer’. The SAS Staff monitor them from a distance, searching for cracks in their characters that would deem them unsuitable for SAS service.
Number 102’s chronic diarrhoea is not serious enough to convince the doctors that he cannot continue. His pride forces him to struggle on.
“Someone told me whilst I was training if you think you’re going to stop, think, 'would you stop for that reason on the battlefield?' No 99 per cent of the time you won’t stop”.
In the extreme isolation of ‘Happy Wanderer’ candidates begin to share intimate thoughts about their girlfriends and families.
After trekking through treacherous mountains the men’s feet resemble raw meat and joints are stiff and swollen. Filthy and fatigued the candidates face a decent into hell for the final stage of the course known as ‘Lucky Dip’.
Despite nearly fracturing his neck, No. 42 has made it this far. But his selection course is over. He hasn’t made the grade and is removed.
“I’m absolutely gutted. This feels like a massive failure to me. There is nothing positive I can take from this right now.”
‘Lucky Dip’ begins with an unsettling night time exercise when the candidates are led to a simulated guerilla camp and ordered to share gut-wrenching and heart-breaking stories from their times in combat. The candidates stop receiving any food and at night are kept awake with bizarre psychological tasks to push them to the limits of mental and physical endurance. The Regiment is looking for the right type of solider and wants to see into the heart of each man.
Characters who have so far not been faulted suddenly crumble under the intense conditions. Doctors monitor the men closely as many prime soldiers push their bodies and minds to the limit.
“You just pray that your body holds out till the end,” says candidate 109.
Finally, 39 men are still standing but they must face the fact that making it to the end does not guarantee selection. Of the 130 who arrived on day one only 26 are selected to begin training.
click here to see where to watch or .
Ready to Watch SAS The Search for Warriors, Season 1, Episode 2?